Spotlight on the Seller - Emily Farncombe Upholstery

Emily has been upholstering in Leeds for seven years. 

She did a fine art degree in Edinburgh after leaving her homeland of the lake district. She graduated and set sail to New Zealand where she lived and worked towards an exhibition of her fine art work which was largely sculptural based with video projection installation. 

After returning from her time abroad Emily retrained in upholstery after inheriting some furniture from an elderly uncle who was an avid antique furniture collector. Emily says: 

"I couldn't bear to see all his wonderful and beautiful furniture being packed off to the auction room, I thought to myself, I am going to learn how to re-vamp that and give it a new lease of life". 

Emily works in Headingley in her workshop along side three other designer makers. She works with her clients to help them re vamp and restore their chairs and sofas to bring them up to date and breathe new life and colour in to their homes. Emily says:

"The best part of my job is working with my clients to help them realise they can make their homes an exciting and fun place to be, I love meeting new people and helping them choose colours, textures, designs and styles." 

Emily also teaches classes in her workshop and works on her own portfolio of exciting and innovative upholstery designs as well as running a re-upholstery and interior design service. She can be contacted on:

Emily Farncombe Upholstery 

38-40 Weetwood Lane

Headingley 

Leeds

07769530373 

www.emliyfarncombe.co.uk 

emily@emilyfarncombe.co.uk

Spotlight on the Seller- Ages Of Elegance

Our first Spotlight on the Seller this year is our leader Dawn Wood, who when she's not trying to cover us all in gingham, works from her studio near the corn exchange in Leeds city centre, creating clothing as Ages Of Elegance

She trained during the last Millenium as a fashion designer, having always had a passion for clothes with the best dressed dolls around. Not just contemporary garments or from a fashion point of view, but also historical & and in it's wider socio-economic setting. Somewhere in the vaults of Huddersfield uni is a super 8 film of her talking about viking clothing aged 12 whilst a class project was being filmed.

This interest led to her moving into making costume for film and theatre, moving to London to work at two of the largest film costume houses, and the Royal Opera House before becoming freelance. She now also produces clothing for museums and collectors, specialising in military uniforms, 18thc clothing and corsetry, as well as giving costume talks. She has sent 16thc patterns in the diplomatic bag to Uzbekistan, created the 17thc bodyguard for the King of Norway, and dyed Phil Collin's underpants for the film Buster

Her move back to Yorkshire 12 years ago meant she started to produce her fashion label again alongside and she sells one off items from this in the shop as well as taking on bespoke work both fashion and bridal. She has been regularly nominated as best designer in Leeds and for her lingerie in the Leeds Retails Awards and was the featured lingerie designer in the 2006 Urban Fashion Awards

Her work is diverse and for both men and women so if you want a truly unique outfit you know where to come. She is also our main tutor and if you come for any of her classes you know you are being taught by a longstanding expert in her field

Spotlight on the seller - Elves and Fairies UK

Ever since Carolyn's little boy was born he has dribbled ridiculous amounts, to the point that she would be changing him every couple of hours. Carolyn tried many different brands but was never been fully satisfied for one reason or another and so this is where elves and fairies uk began.

Carolyn's bibs have a three-layer system so they are extremely effective at keeping even the dribbliest babies dry. They are also reversible so you have a choice of which side takes your fancy at that time.

Carolyn has also chosen a range of fabrics ranging from

funky, cool and retro, to traditional, vintage and classic. They are stylish, as well as a fantastic addition to any outfit.

All the bibs have been made with tender love and care by Carolyn with you and your little angel in mind.

Seller in the Spotlight - Woolly Buddha

Woolly Buddha was born in October 2012, after my daughter and I were disappointed by the unoriginal, mass produced knitted accessories on the high street.  Our big, bold hats, scarves and stoles are designed to be statement pieces, which we hand-knit out of premium yarns such as hand-spun British Alpaca, merino wool and hand-dyed mulberry silk, much of which is produced to our specifications.

I have a passion for puzzles and problem solving, which is why I love the design process.  I use organic shapes and take inspiration from nature and architecture, to produce unusual and versatile creations.  While the design may be key, it’s also our choice of colours, texture and sumptuous materials that attract our customers in the UK and worldwide.    

Our signature piece, the Divalicious stole harks back to Hollywood’s ‘golden era’, and exudes glamour and allure.  Using one of knitwear sticks can quickly turn our Versatile scarf into a cowl or wrap, giving three looks for the price of one.  All of our pieces are designed to make the wearer feel special.  We searched for a retail outlet to market our accessories and Fabrication, with its fantastic variety of original, artisan-made products, was the ideal choice.  

Woolly Buddha, 123 Almsford drive, Harrogate, HG2 8EE, UK

Tel: 01423 872537/07702 565900            info@woollybuddha.com

www.woollybuddha.com

Fabrication's Christmas Charities

Christmas is coming, and while we did think about spending millions on a lavish advert with adorable woodland animals, in the end we decided to do something for others. Two things, actually

Firstly, Fabrication is calling on Leeds ladies to donate their unwanted bras in a massive show of support for a female charity campaign.

Run by the Flamingo Foundation, some of the bras are given to women in developing countries who can’t afford their own bra.  Others are used as stock, helping ladies start up their own market-stall businesses.  Sub-standard bras are recycled raising cash for Flamingo Foundation projects.  You can find out more at www.flamingofoundation.org/bras.

Dawn Wood from Fabrication says, “We hope local ladies will get involved and show their support for their female counterparts around the world.  There are thousands of unwanted bras that women have outgrown or got bored of, and we want to put them to good use.”

She adds, “By donating old bras, people can help communities across the world in many practical ways and know that after the important support the bra has given them, it can go on to help someone else.”

The ‘Bra Bank’ scheme is run by the Flamingo Foundation and each year as many as 20,000 bras are collected.  This includes to a community of ladies in Kenya – many of who are widowed having lost their husbands to HIV.  Most work the land and care for their families without any physical support, so owning their own bra, or having the opportunity to set up a small business using the bras as stock, is extremely welcome.

Rehema Keino from Kisumu explains, “It’s so nice to think of another woman thousands of miles away supporting me!”

Fabrication will be collecting bras until 1st December 2013.  

These simple gifts can make a big difference and goes to show that what UK women take for granted can be a real life-changer for others. As Fabrication supports local micro business then being involved with the project was a perfect fit for us, to enable others elsewhere to also be enterprising 

Secondly, we will be holding a present drop for St George's Crypt Toy Appeal. For many years, the Crypt has been distributing toys to families throughout Leeds who find themselves unable to buy presents for their children at Christmas.

In recent years, they have partnered with a number of churches in Seacroft, Armley and Gipton – in each case an area with substantial numbers of families in need – to ensure that the toys they receive are directed to those most in need. St George's Crypt are very grateful to many churches, schools, individuals and companies who donate huge numbers of toys which make all the difference to so many families at Christmas who otherwise would receive very little.

http://www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk/charity/index.php/community/how-we-help-others/toys 

In addition to this, some of the Fabrication sellers will be donating 10% of profits to St George's Crypt - just ask in store for more details.

To drop off your bra or present, please visit: FABRICATION Unit A20 Arcade Level, The Light, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8TL. For opening hours and contact details, the website is: www.fabricationcrafts.co.uk

Spotlight on the Seller - Kallisto Cremes

Kallisto Creams is a small business creating handmade natural skincare products with Maria at the helm of production.

After years of using expensive high street brands to look after my skin I stumbled upon a number of articles which uncovered the hidden harmful effects of their chemical ingredients.

Considering these products were applied on the skin every day and night and approximately sixty percent of that is absorbed by the body, would you purposely cover your skin in something that you knew was actually harmful and poisonous?

 Now my passion for healthy skin led me making my own products without being laden with harmful chemicals; healthy and radiant skin achieved the natural way.

Kallisto Creams is a lifestyle choice for those ethically conscious individuals who desire moisturised, protected and radiant skin but seek an alternative to the mass-produced chemically laden toiletries and cosmetics without sacrificing any luxury.

We have created remedies that nourish, hydrate and rejuvenate your skin and help maintain a youthful natural balance. 

All our products are handmade and infused with the traditional benefits of herbs, fruit, vegetables and oils; skincare the way Mother Nature intended.

 Our range of natural body creams and skin care products are handmade in small batches so that you will receive them at their best.

 This means you receive your skincare product in the freshest possible condition and we can use the smallest amount of preservative possible.

All our products meet with the current UK and EU Cosmetics Products Regulations and have passed a Safety Assessment by an independent laboratory.

You will find all my products in The Light Leeds at the Fabrication shop which  is social enterprise which aims to provide help and development for over 40 micro craft businesses.

Thank you,

Maria Psarra-Parker

Kallisto Creams

Spotlight on the seller - Melodies Jewellery

As a practising Jeweller and Interdisciplinary Artist, I find my work reflects many of my personal motivations. My range is inspired by a passion for music, a desire to re-use redundant materials, being able to hold something meaningful close to you, popular culture and a need for progression.  

I've developed my work to suit this ethos and now create a range of home-wares and gifts alongside my core jewellery

 These ranges are entirely made from neglected musical materials, instruments and other musical paraphernalia. 

I started my business in 2012 after years of making jewellery for fun and having graduated college with a BA (hons) in Interdisciplinary Art, the real world beaconed, but now I am back to what I love.